Procedures, system and computer program product for the presentation of multimedia contents in elevator installations

ABSTRACT

A procedure, a system and a computer program product presents multimedia contents in elevator installations. At least one user profile with multimedia contents is provided for an associated elevator user. When the user is identified in proximity to the elevator system, the multimedia contents carried in his user profile are presented to him. The multimedia contents are made available to the elevator installation through a protective wall.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a procedure, a system and acomputer program product for the presentation of multimedia contents inelevator installations.

[0002] The U.S. Pat. No. 6,288,688 shows a computer-aided system for thedistribution and display of digital advertisements (short messages)within elevator cars. Screens are installed in the elevator cars andsuch screens are connected with a monitoring unit by means ofcommunication connections. The monitoring unit has a data storage devicewith a plurality of stored digital advertisements. The digitaladvertisement being individually addressed is dispatched to the screens.

[0003] By multimedia is understood the integration of different media ina device. Multimedia contents consist of music compositions, SMS (ShortMessage service), EMS (Enhanced Messaging service), MMS (MultimediaMessaging service), texts, pictures, videos, movies, but also of scents,lighting effects, etc. Multimedia contents can be presented by means ofcomputers through input and output devices such as screens,loudspeakers, keyboards, microphones, atomizer, lamps, etc.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The present invention concerns a procedure, a system and acomputer program product in order to offer multimedia contents inelevator installations. In particular, individually tailor-mademultimedia contents based on the user of the elevator installation arepresented.

[0005] The present invention concerns a method for the presentation ofmultimedia contents in elevator installations comprising the steps of:a) providing at least one user profile with multimedia contents for anassociated user of an elevator installation; b) separating themultimedia contents from the elevator installation with a protectivewall; c) identifying the associated user when the associated user iswithin a predetermined proximity to the elevator installation; and d)presenting to the identified associated user multimedia contents carriedwithin the at least one user profile through the protective wall.

[0006] The present invention also concerns a system for the presentationof multimedia contents in elevator installations comprising: at leastone recognition device for recognizing an identification code of a userof an elevator installation; at least one examination device connectedto said at least one recognition device for identifying the recognizedidentification code; at least one contents database storing for the userat least one user profile with multimedia contents and being connectedto said at least one examination device; at least one output deviceconnected to said at least one examination device for presenting to theuser the multimedia contents carried in the at least one user profilefrom said at least one contents database when the recognizedidentification code is identified by said at least one examinationdevice; and a protective wall connected between said contents databaseand said at least one examination device of the elevator installation.

[0007] The present invention further concerns a computer program productfor the presentation of multimedia contents in elevator installationscomprising: a comparison means for comparing at least one recognizedidentification code of a user of an elevator installation with aplurality of identification addresses; an allocation means for supplyinga positive allocation result when the at least one recognizedidentification code is identical to one of the plurality ofidentification addresses; an assignment means for assigning a userprofile with multimedia contents to the identical one of the pluralityof identification addresses; and a protective wall means for loading themultimedia contents into the elevator installation.

[0008] According to the present invention, at least an individualizeduser profile with multimedia contents is carried for a user. This userprofile is customized; i.e. it contains preferential multimedia contentsselected by the user. The user profile contains much information; i.e.the user selects preferential multimedia contents from a large offer.The user profile is far-reaching; i.e. the user receives multimediacontents, wherever he is identified.

[0009] Preferably, the user is identified before rather than afterentering an elevator car. The identification takes place, preferably,via an identification code. An examination device examines the validityof this recognized identification code. With a valid identificationcode, the user is considered as identified.

[0010] An identified user is presented multimedia contents, which arecarried in its user profile. Preferably, these multimedia contents areloaded from at least one contents database and presented through atleast one output device before, or respectively in the elevator car.Multimedia contents are made available by at least one provider andstored on request in the contents database. Preferably, multimediacontents categorized by demographic travelling preferences,psychographics travelling preferences as well as situational travellingpreferences are presented.

[0011] The communication of the contents database and the elevatorinstallation itself with the external world is made through a protectivewall. Multimedia contents are therefore by means of the protective wallmade available separately from the elevator installation. In such a way,any hackers and Internet viruses are prevented from accessing theelevator installation via the communication link with the externalworld.

[0012] The system works with well known and proven means of thecommunication technique and can be added to already installed elevatorinstallations. Hereto are installed at least one recognition device forrecognizing an identification code, at least one examination device foridentifying a user on the basis of a recognized identification code, atleast one contents database for linking at least one user profile withmultimedia contents and at least one output device for presentingmultimedia contents carried in the user profile.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] The above, as well as other advantages of the present invention,will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from thefollowing detailed description of a preferred embodiment when consideredin the light of the accompanying drawings in which:

[0014]FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a system according to thepresent invention for the presentation of multimedia contents inelevator installations;

[0015]FIG. 2 is a flow diagram of the system of FIG. 1 for thepresentation of multimedia contents in elevator installations; and

[0016]FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of an output device for thesystem shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0017] With respect to the system in association with an elevatorinstallation: FIG. 1 shows schematically a system according to thepresent invention for the presentation of multimedia contents inelevator installations. The system includes at least one recognitiondevice E, at least one examination device P, at least one identificationdatabase I, at least one elevator control B, at least one contentsdatabase M as well as at least one output device A. The elevatorinstallation is installed in a building G, or respectively a block ofbuildings and transports users from one floor to another floor. Inaccordance with FIG. 1, three floors are represented. The elevatorinstallation is operated, for example electrically or hydraulically.Preferably, on each floor a recognition device E as well as an outputdevice A are installed beside a floor or hallway door to the elevatorinstallation. Alternatively, it is also possible to install only onerecognition device E, for example at the ground floor of the building G.Preferably, another one of the output devices A is installed in anelevator car of the elevator installation. In accordance with FIG. 1,the elevator car is located in the ground floor of the building G, andthe output device A of the elevator car is to be recognized through theopen elevator doors. In accordance with FIG. 1, the examination deviceP, the identification database I and the contents database M are locatedin a basement of the building G and the elevator control B (not shown)is located on an upper floor of the building G.

[0018] With respect to the identification: FIG. 2 shows an exemplaryembodiment form of the system according to the present invention for thepresentation of multimedia contents. For the presentation of multimediacontents, a user logs onto the system with an identification code. Sucha registration 1 takes place, preferably through the recognition deviceE for recognizing an identification code. In this connection, severalconstruction forms of the registration 1 can be differentiated.

[0019] In a first preferred embodiment form of the registration 1, theidentification code is transmitted by an identification device (notshown) to the recognition device E. Such contactless recognition of anidentification code is well known from the European patent EP 699 617.The identification device can be a transponder with a transponderantenna and transmitting electronics. The transmitting electronics ofthe identification device include a sending unit and a receiving unitand a data storage device with at least one identification code. Theidentification device is fed by induction through an electromagneticfield with an operating voltage. Preferably, the recognition device Eemits such an electromagnetic field. As soon as the identificationdevice is located in the proximity of the recognition device E, it issupplied with energy and it sends the identification code to therecognition device E. For example, the identification device ismaintained hereto some centimeters up to several meters distance fromthe recognition device E. The recognition device E receives theidentification code through an accordingly developed sending andreceiving antenna. Any readable and/or able to be written informationdevices respectively recognition devices can be used. So, informationdevices that communicate based on light and contactlessly with arecognition device like a scanner are likewise applicable. Alsoapplicable are information devices in the form of magnetic cards,electronic chip, etc., which communicate through at least anintermediate contact with a recognition device.

[0020] In a further embodiment of the registration 1, the identificationcode is entered by the user mechanically, for example through a keyboardof the recognition device E and/or acoustically, for example through amicrophone of the recognition device E. Of course, the person skilled inthe art, having knowledge of the present invention, may realize otherinput devices, respectively output devices such as the output device Awith a touch-sensitive screen surface, a mobile telephone keyboard, etc.

[0021] Finally, it is possible to recognize a biometric identificationcode of the user, such as a fingerprint, an iris pattern, a faceprofile, etc. with a recognition device.

[0022] With respect to the examination: The recognition device E furthertransmits the recognized identification code for an examination 2 to theexamination device P. At least one of the examination devices P isnecessary; however, several of the examination devices P can be used.The examination device P is computer-aided. Under “computer-aided” isunderstood a commercially available computing unit such as a PC(Personal Computer) with the operating system Windows, Apple, etc., orrespectively a workstation with the operating system UNIX, etc. Theidentification database I is preferably a relational database such asAccess, Lotus Notes, Oracle, SAP, etc. or respectively a XML (ExtensibleMarkup Language) database, etc. The identification database I can beplaced into a computer-aided device. The recognition device E, theexamination device P and identification database I are equipped withinputs and outputs for communication. Preferably, the communicationarises between the recognition device E, the examination device P andthe identification database I on a recognition bus EP (FIG. 1) inaccordance with a well known standard protocol such as PCI (PeripheralComponent Interconnect) bus, Ethernet, token ring, etc., preferably byradio and/or cable. The examination device P can be developed mobile, orrespectively fixed. The examination device P and the identificationdatabase I can be integrated, as shown in FIG. 1, into a single housing,but they can also be placed separately in different locations. Ofcourse, it is also possible to realize the recognition device E, theexamination device P and the identification database I in a singlehousing. Furthermore, it is possible to integrate the examination deviceP and the output device A, as shown in FIG. 1, into a single housing.

[0023] Preferably, a computer program product is installed into theexamination device P. The computer program product compares therecognized identification code with identification addresses that arestored in the identification database I. The user is unequivocallyidentifiable through an identification address. For each identificationaddress, an identification code exists. For example, an identificationaddress is to be assigned exactly to a recognized identification code,if the identification address and the identification code are identical.In accordance with FIG. 2, the computer program product then supplies apositive allocation result Y1, if one of the stored identificationaddresses is identical to the identification code, and otherwise thecomputer program product supplies a negative allocation result N1. Sucha negative allocation result is transmitted, for example, to therecognition device E, from which the identification code has beentransmitted and the user is called up through the output device A ofthis recognition device E on a repeated registration 1. By reiteratednegative allocation result, a neutral, not individualized guest addresscan be assigned to the user. The computer program product is written,for example, in a common and proven computer language. For example, thecomputer program product is stored into a storage unit and is loadedinto a processor for the execution of the computer program product.

[0024] With respect to the allocation of multimedia contents: Multimediacontents from the contents database M are made available on a call 3 tothe user identified accordingly to an identification code. The contentsdatabase M is computer-aided. It exhibits inputs and outputs for thecommunication with the examination device P, the output device A and aprovider V. Preferably, at least one computer program product isinstalled into the contents database I and such computer program productassigns to an identification address of the user a user profile withmultimedia contents, which are stored into the contents database M.Multimedia contents consist of music compositions, SMS, EMS, MMS, texts,pictures videos, movies, scents, lighting effects, etc. It applies alsohere that the computer program product can be written in a common andproven computer language. For example, the computer program product isstored into a storage unit and is loaded into a processor for theexecution of the computer program product.

[0025] With respect to the transmission of multimedia contents: Themultimedia contents conforming to an identification address arepresented in a presentation 4 on the output device A, before,respectively in the elevator car. The contents database M and the outputdevice A communicate, preferably, on a contents bus MA in accordancewith a well known standard protocol such as PCI-bus, Ethernet, tokenring, etc. by cables and/or by radio. Of course, it is also possible totransmit multimedia contents by mail, for example stored on a CD(compact disk).

[0026] In accordance with FIG. 1, the output devices A communicate inthe floors by cables with the contents database M, while the outputdevice A communicates in the elevator car by radio through a transmitterF and by cables with the contents database M. The output device A is forexample, in accordance with FIG. 3, a panel with several areas A1, A2,A3, A4, A5, A6. For example, it concerns, in the case of the outputdevice A, a computer-aided panel with first, second, third and fourthareas A1, A2, A3 and A4 respectively for the output of multimediacontents and with fifth and sixth areas A5 and A6 for the communicationwith the contents database M. The communication is preferablybi-directional. The output device A receives multimedia contents fromthe contents database M and transmits them into the first area A1 as agraphical representation, into the second area A2 as an acousticalrepresentation, into the third area A3 as an aromatic representation,and into the fourth area A4 as an optical representation. For example,the first area A1 can be a visual display screen, the second area A2 canbe a loudspeaker, the third area A3 can be a scent machine and thefourth area A4 can be a generator. By scent machine is understood aspray apparatus with a fragrance, or respectively with several, freelyselectable and mixable fragrances and such spray apparatus spraysthis/these fragrance/fragrances. By generator is understood at least acontrollable, respectively adjustable lamp and such lamp emits lightingeffects.

[0027] Preferably, the output device A transmits signals to the contentsdatabase M and to the examination device P. For example, the fifth andsixth areas A5 and A6 are touch-sensitive and enable the generation ofsuch signals by the user. With such signals a user can, for example,select and confirm multimedia contents. For confirming multimediacontents the user operates the fifth area A5. For selecting multimediacontents the user operates the sixth area A6. So long as a user does notactively select multimedia contents, multimedia contents apply asdesired. Of course, also other means for the generation of such signalsare applicable, such as a microphone coupled with speech recognition forreceiving language instructions. The person skilled in the art has inthis connection, having knowledge of the present invention, multiplepossibilities.

[0028] Preferably, at least one computer program product is installed inthe contents database I, and such computer program product transmitsmultimedia contents of a user profile as at least one cookie to theoutput device A. By cookie is understood a file, which exhibits asequence of multimedia contents, which is presented in a certain order.For example, a cookie consists of a sequence of ten sides, which ispresented in a sequence page 1 through page 10. For example, it concernsthereby a sequel history, which is presented to a user during successivetransportations in the elevator. The cookie notes the current stage ofthe sequence, so that after, for example, the presentation of the pages1 and 2, with a following transport, the page 3 is presented.Preferably, such a cookie can be stored in a data storage unit of theoutput device A. Preferably, the contents database I transmits thecookie directly to the output device A in the proximity of the user. Forthis purpose, one of the output devices A receives, for example, a pieceof information from the elevator control B that a user identified withan identification code is in its proximity. The proximate output deviceA announces itself, thereupon, to the contents database I. For example,the proximate output device A transmits the identification address ofthe identified user to the contents database I. The computer programproduct assigns a user profile with multimedia contents to thisidentification address and transmits multimedia contents of this userprofile to this proximate output device A. The computer program productis written, for example, in a common and proven computer language. Forexample, the computer program product is stored in a storage unit and isloaded into a processor for the execution of the computer programproduct.

[0029] With respect to the structure of multimedia contents: A systemarchitect presents multimedia contents, preferably, in a structure. Thestructure covers a framework, for example a sequence of pages,respectively columns in pages and in such framework multimedia contentsare introduced. In a favorable embodiment form, multimedia contents arestructured as Flash film with a software program named Flash from thecompany Macromedia. The software Flash permits the simple and rapidprovision of appealing designs and unusual animations, which areprovided with music. Other software such as HTML (Hypertext MarkupLANGUAGE) can, of course, also be used.

[0030] Multimedia contents are categorized. The system architectureoffers a multiplicity of categorized multimedia contents to the user inhis user profile. Such categories are subdivided, preferably, intotravelling preferences such as demographic travelling preferences,psychographics travelling preferences, as well as situational travellingpreferences.

[0031] The demographic travelling preferences are for example:

[0032] The language presentation (for example: DE, GB, FR, IT, etc.).

[0033] The sex of the user (male/female).

[0034] The age of the user (for example: subdivided into age groups of0-13, 14-20, 21-20 30, 31- 40, 41 -50, 51-65, 66-80, 81-120 years).

[0035] The civil status (for example: single, married, divorced,widowed).

[0036] The income (for example: subdivided into income classes of0-30,000, 30,001-60,000, 60,001-90,000, 90,001-120,000,120,001-180,000, >180,000 CHF/per year).

[0037] The psychographics travelling preferences are for example:

[0038] Information preferences (for example: weather forecast,horoscope, stock exchange briefing, sport news, topicalities, localnews, etc.).

[0039] Culture preferences (for example: Italian meal, Chinese meal,wine, cigars, etc.).

[0040] Music preferences (for example: pop-music, classical music, jazzmusic, etc.)

[0041] Scent preferences (for example: lavender, peppermint, eucalyptus,etc.)

[0042] Light preferences (for example: violent lightning, mat warmlight, etc.)

[0043] The situational travelling preferences are for example:

[0044] Zone preferences (for example: pre-determined zones, floors ofthe building G)

[0045] Period preferences (for example: pre-determined periods (in themorning, in the afternoon, at night), clock times (coffee break, lunchbreak), etc.)

[0046] Preferably, a computer program product is provided thatcategorizes multimedia contents for a user profile. The computer programproduct is written, for example, in a common and proven computerlanguage. For example, the computer program product is stored in astorage unit and is loaded into a processor for the execution of thecomputer program product. Each category exhibits at least one specificmultimedia content. Preferably, each category exhibits several specificmultimedia contents. For example, the category “Information preferences”exhibits specific multimedia contents such as “weather forecast,horoscope, stock exchange briefing, sport news, topicalities, localnews, etc.” The different categories are linkable one to each other, inaccordance with at least a logical element such as “AND”, “OR”, “NOT”.For example, a psychographics travelling preference can be modulatedthrough a situational travelling preference, for example, by adaptingthe “information preferences” with the “period preferences”, in such amanner that, in the morning the weather forecast, at noon the stockexchange briefing and in the evening the topicalities are presented.Multimedia contents are thus scalable, i.e. in the three-dimensionalspace, which is extended through the dimensions of degree ofcustomization, richness of content and range, and a structure withspecific multimedia contents is made available to the user and suchmultimedia contents constitute for the user a valuable, optimal content.

[0047] With respect to the procurement of multimedia contents:Multimedia contents V are to be obtained, preferably, by a provider W.Preferably, the contents database M communicates with the provider W bymeans of communication tools such as the Internet and over establishedstandard protocols such as TCP/IP (Transmission ControlProtocol/Internet Protocol), FTP (File Transfer Protocol), etc. Thecontents database M works, preferably, with a software program basedupon the Open Services Gateway initiative (OSGi) specification. OSGi hasset a much-considered open standard, whereby the update, respectivelyupgrade possibilities of the multimedia contents V by the provider Wenable topicality and a high level of customization. The multimediacontents V are provided, preferably, with a purchase order form, by theprovider W. Preferably, a computer program product is provided thatlists the multimedia contents to be updated and that for the entirecontents database M and per actualization interval of the provider W.The computer program product is written, for example, in a common andproven computer language. For example, the computer program product isstored in a storage unit and is loaded into a processor for theexecution of the computer program product. The actualization intervalscan vary depending upon category, for example the horoscope is updatedevery 24 hours, the weather forecast is updated every 12 hours, whilethe stock exchange briefing is updated every 2 minutes. Representativeactualization intervals are every: 24 hours; 8 hours; 2 hours; 60minutes; 15 minutes; 2 minutes; 60 seconds; and/or 15 seconds.

[0048] With respect to the protection of the elevator installation: Inaccordance with FIG. 1, the contents database M is arranged as separatecomputing unit in the building G of the elevator installation, while theprovider W with its multimedia contents V is located in and represent anexternal world outside the building G. In order to guarantee a safeoperation of the elevator installation, i.e. to prevent with highprobability a failure of the elevator installation because of hackersand Internet viruses, the contents database M is provided with aprotective wall S. The communication of the contents database M with theproper elevator installation in the building G is made through thisprotective wall S. Preferably, a computer program product is provided,which loads multimedia contents through the protective wall S into theelevator installation. The computer program product is written, forexample, in a common and proven computer language. For example, thecomputer program product is stored into a storage unit and is loadedinto a processor for the execution of the computer program product. Inparticular the protective wall S supervises and regulates the accessfrom the contents database M into the recognition devices E, into theexamination devices P, into the identification database I, into theoutput devices A and into the elevator control B regulated via astandard protocol. Such a protective wall S is a software program, whichis commercially obtainable from companies such as McAfee, PGP (PrettyGood Privacy), Symantec, etc. The protective wall S works with safetycriteria such as identification number, crypto certificates, etc.Preferably, as shown in accordance with FIG. 1, such a protective wall Sis installed in a separate personal computing unit. The contentsdatabase M arranged in the building G of the elevator installation istherefore readable and able to be written into for the external worldvia the standard protocol. Any hackers and Internet viruses are stillprevented by the protective wall S from getting access to therecognition devices E, to the examination devices P, to theidentification database I, to the output devices A and to the elevatorcontrol B. Instead of arranging the contents database M decentralizedlocally in the building G of the elevator installation, the contentsdatabase M can be just as well a central, national or global remoteserver, which serves centrally many elevator installations withmultimedia contents in several buildings, cities and/or countries.

[0049] In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes, thepresent invention has been described in what is considered to representits preferred embodiment. However, it should be noted that the inventioncan be practiced otherwise than as specifically illustrated anddescribed without departing from its spirit or scope.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for the presentation of multimediacontents in elevator installations comprising the steps of: a. providingat least one user profile with multimedia contents for an associateduser of an elevator installation; b. separating the multimedia contentsfrom the elevator installation with a protective wall; c. identifyingthe associated user when the associated user is within a predeterminedproximity to the elevator installation; and d. presenting to theidentified associated user multimedia contents carried within the atleast one user profile through the protective wall.
 2. The methodaccording to claim 1 including obtaining the multimedia contents from atleast one provider.
 3. The method according to claim 1 wherein said stepb. is performed by storing the multimedia contents in a contentsdatabase and transmitting the multimedia contents from the contentsdatabase through the protective wall to at least one output device andsaid step d. is performed by presenting the multimedia contents with theat least one output device.
 4. A system for the presentation ofmultimedia contents in elevator installations comprising: at least onerecognition device for recognizing an identification code of a user ofan elevator installation; at least one examination device connected tosaid at least one recognition device for identifying the recognizedidentification code; at least one contents database storing for the userat least one user profile with multimedia contents and being connectedto said at least one examination device; at least one output deviceconnected to said at least one examination device for presenting to theuser the multimedia contents carried in the at least one user profilefrom said at least one contents database when the recognizedidentification code is identified by said at least one examinationdevice; and a protective wall connected between said contents databaseand said at least one examination device of the elevator installation.5. A computer program product for the presentation of multimediacontents in elevator installations comprising: a comparison means forcomparing at least one recognized identification code of a user of anelevator installation with a plurality of identification addresses; anallocation means for supplying a positive allocation result when the atleast one recognized identification code is identical to one of theplurality of identification addresses; an assignment means for assigninga user profile with multimedia contents to the identical one of theplurality of identification addresses; and a protective wall means forloading the multimedia contents into the elevator installation.
 6. Thecomputer program product in accordance with claim 5 including means forobtaining the multimedia contents from at least one provider.
 7. Thecomputer program product in accordance with claim 5 including means fortransmitting the multimedia contents through the protective wall meansto at least one output device of the elevator installation.